Hey, did you hear the one about the pro athlete who had a good season and immediately wanted to renegotiate his contract? Even after he failed to play up to his potential for the first three years of his career due?

Unfortunately, it’s no joke.

It seems like every year we are subjected to the whining of athletes who, even though they are under contract, either want to get a new and improved deal, get traded, or both.

Thus far, Kellen Winslow Jr., hasn’t issued a trade demand. But for a guy who has, in my opinion, already struck out with many Browns fans, a holdout that includes a demand to be traded would simply by the icing on the cake.

Winslow, the Browns’ first-round draft choice in 2004, had strike one on him before he ever played in a game. That’s because he chose to be a holdout from training camp his rookie season. The only thing he caught during his holdout was the wrath of then-Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia, who openly criticized the son of Hall of Famer KellenWinslow Sr.

Winslow, who had gained a reputation of being a selfish athlete while playing for the Miami Hurricanes, certainly did nothing to change those views by his untimely holdout.

Winslow’s second strike came when he once again put his own self ahead of the team by recklessly riding a super-charged motorcycle following the 2004 season, a season in which he only played in only two games due to a right fibula injury he suffered in Week 2.
 
He’s managed to come back from the extensive injuries suffered in his careless accident, but he’s admittedly not the same player he was prior to his ill-advised adventures.

Now, as the Browns approach what promises to be a very exciting season, it sounds like he’s willing to take a called third strike by putting his own selfish desires ahead of the good of the team.

If he misses any time whatsoever due to his hopes to renegotiate his contract, it will, in my opinion, be the final straw. It will show once and for all that, no matter what he has said over the past couple of years and no matter how good the team might be, that he is still a selfish, self-centered prima donna who cares more about himself than his teammates, coaches and, oh yeah, the fans.

The Browns were concerned enough that general manager Phil Savage had to mortgage a small part of the team’s future in order to move up in this year’s draft to pick tight end Martin Rucker out of the University of Missouri in the fourth round.

The trade cost the Browns a third-round pick next year. Not exactly an earth-shaking trade by any means, but one that apparently the team deemed necessary due in part of Winslow’s public announcement that he wants a new contract. To be fair, it was also in part due to the fact both Winslow and backup tight end Steve Heiden will probably be limited in upcoming camps due to off-season surgeries.

It should be noted that Winslow’s surgery was his fourth that is a direct result of his motorcycle accident. It also must be noted that he has three years remaining on his contract. And it also needs to be noted that he did play in his first Pro Bowl this past February, albeit as an alternate.

Is Winslow worth more money just because San Diego tight end Antonio Gates suffered an injury that kept him out of the Pro Bowl and opened the door for the Browns’ tight end?

There doesn’t seem to be much logic in that. Nor is there much logic in tearing up the contract of a guy who never has and likely never will live up to his potential due, as previously mentioned, to his own selfish, self-centered prima donna attitude?

Probably the best thing I can say about Kellen Winslow Jr., is that at least he’s not as openly arrogant and as much of a trouble maker as Chad Johnson … at least not yet.

(cle.scout.com)

ST. LOUIS One day, he wants to go into space. Brian Barton turned 26 earlier this week, and though the astronaut dream tends to die about the time hormones bloom and adolescence rages, Barton never could abandon it.

"The sky's the limit," he likes to say, and in this instance, he does so standing in front of his locker in the St. Louis Cardinals' clubhouse. He takes the cliché literally and figuratively, the former in his desire to float in the atmosphere and the latter in the career he has carved out in the meantime.

The sky? It's for the African-American kid from South Los Angeles who grew up surrounded by basketball, football and everything but baseball. The one who didn't get drafted out of the University of Miami after a productive college career because teams were worried that he was going to finish his degree in aerospace engineering and hook on with Boeing, where he interned, or perhaps NASA. The one who later signed with the Cleveland Indians for $100,000, put up gaudy numbers at every level and still couldn't crack the 40-man roster because they worried about knee surgery he had last fall.

Left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft, Barton fell to the Cardinals, manna in the form of a 6-foot-3, 190-pound outfielder with pop, speed and, best of all, brains. He has settled in as their fifth outfielder, though he has played plenty in manager Tony La Russa's mix-and-match scheme. He's batting .324, scored four runs and driven in four in 37 at-bats.

And though teams coveted Barton for his tools, he sees something else paramount to his early success.

"My strongest asset is mental," Barton said. "I work on being patient and always being ready, and you have to be in this role.

"I like to invest in knowledge. Anything that can help me learn about different people, different things. That's what drives a lot of what I do and why people may think things I do are out of the ordinary. You can't take away things you know."

That ethos guides Barton in and away from baseball. He started college at Loyola Marymount in L.A. on an academic scholarship but transferred to Miami for its blend of academics and athletics. Once there, the travel bug bit, and between his junior and senior years, Barton took a solo sojourn to the place that seemed most foreign to him. There's no point in traveling, he figured, unless it delivers a good jolt to your senses.

Ethiopia it was. A professor of Barton's had a friend who helped him find a hotel. Barton tried to learn some Amharic. He spent two weeks walking around, trying his best to blend in, though the mini-Afro he sported at the time gave him away.

"I wanted to go out there and see if I could do it, and I did," Barton said. "I had gotten over the hump. So, where next?"

Europe. Check. The Caribbean. Check. Barton had to temper his wanderlust last offseason because he took a few courses at Miami. His goal is to visit every country in the world. He's got 190 or so to go.

"I'm about 10 deep," Barton said. "This offseason I'll do a few. Hopefully, I live a long enough life to do it."

Keeping a spot in the big leagues can certainly fund such journeys. Most Rule 5 picks end up returned to the teams from which they were selected, and those who stick generally do so in small roles. Johan Santana bided his time in mop-up duty for Minnesota before later spending half a season in the minor leagues to hone his game.

Barton is an exception. The Cardinals look brilliant for picking him and have plans for him. Had left fielder Skip Schumaker not gotten off to such a great start, Barton would be getting more at-bats.

"He's earned his roster spot, which is the best compliment I can give him," La Russa said. "Sometimes you take a Rule 5 guy and you're investing in the future as long as he can hold his own, but he's made this club. He did it in spring training, and he continues to do it by his play."

Last week, Barton pinch hit in the ninth inning of a tie game against Houston and drew a leadoff walk that contributed to the winning run. Two days earlier, he stroked two hits, drove in two runs and pushed the Cardinals ahead in a victory against Pittsburgh.

For now, this baseball racket is working just fine. Barton has one semester of classes remaining, and the only time Miami offers them is during the season. So the degree can wait.

"It doesn't mean sometime later in his career he can't pursue the other," said La Russa, who is familiar with potential second careers, having earned his juris doctorate in the offseason when he was a player. He went into managing instead of law, aware that such opportunities are scarce, and knows Barton faces the same decision.

"This is the only time he can pursue this one."

Ah, but what if? What if NASA called tomorrow and told him the next time the shuttle took off, he'd be on it? What if he needed to answer his ultimate hypothetical?

"If I had an opportunity to go, man, I'd want to go," Barton said. "If it came down to baseball or that, it'd be a hard decision. Good thing I'm not in that position."

No. Barton's in one, for now, that's plenty good, one that rivals where he'd be had he taken the other road. Flying high in the sky.

(yardbarker.com)

Ryan Braun had a solo homer in the sixth and a go-ahead two-run double in the ninth as the Brewers came from behind the beat the Cubs 4-3 on Thursday.
Braun drove one over Kosuke Fukudome's head in the top of the ninth to score the tying and eventually winning runs. Rickie Weeks also tried to score on the play, but he was thrown out at the plate. Braun finished the series against the Cubs with seven hits, three doubles and seven RBI in three games. Hopefully, it means his season-opening slump has come to an end.

(rotoworld.com)

Members of the Professional Football Writers of America recently conducted voting in several categories, and here are the results:

Halas Award (For the individual in the NFL who overcame the most adversity to succeed last season.) Kevin Everett, Bills. Everett, of course, suffered temporary paralysis in a game against the Broncos last season, but overcame the odds and is now walking again. Amazing story.

(news-day.com)

Warren Sapp was lying on the grass and watching his daughter play soccer Saturday in South Florida when his cell phone vibrated and knocked him out of his daze. A friend on the other line wanted to talk football, and after a few seconds it suddenly occurred to the recently retired defensive tackle that this was a reasonably significant afternoon.

“Oh, (expletive), it’s draft day!” Sapp exclaimed. But after learning of the first seven picks or so, he became disinterested in the subsequent selections, explaining, “I don’t know any of these (expletive) kids.” He wanted to know if “my streak was alive” – since Sapp went 12th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1995, at least one University of Miami player had gone in the first round in each successive year – and sweated it out until the New York Giants took former Hurricanes safety Kenny Phillips with the 31st pick.

One other selection made Sapp smile. “I love Darren McFadden to the Raiders,” he said Monday. “I think it’s a perfect fit.”

I started to argue with Sapp, which isn’t surprising – some of our arguments have literally lasted years, and I almost stayed in exile in London after getting a particularly salty text message last October from the smart, funny and very, very large defensive menace.

Citing what I perceive to be conventional wisdom, I told Sapp that given Oakland’s run-stopping struggles last season (it gave up 145.9 rushing yards per game, the NFL’s second-worst figure) – and the fact that Sapp, one of the league’s best interior linemen of the modern era, just called it quits – the Raiders would have been much better served taking stud defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey than adding another halfback. And Sapp, as he is prone to doing, face-planted conventional wisdom like a defenseless quarterback in the pocket.

“I understand that (coach) Lane Kiffin and (offensive coordinator) Gregg Knapp are supposed to be these guys who make their living by throwing the ball,” Sapp said. “But our offense is made for downhill guys. And this kid will make that offense go.”

Sapp reminded me that, “after three games last season, LaMont Jordan led the NFL in rushing. But LaMont is like the worst offseason running back I’ve ever been around; he was out of shape and couldn’t keep it going. Then, remember late in the season, Justin Fargas was slashing and cutting and gaining all those yards? (McFadden) is the same guy, but he’s faster. I promise you, this guy will hit those holes and take it to the house, and then our offensive line will slash people up.”

None of that addressed the fact that the Raiders’ defense, particularly when it comes to stopping the run, has serious problems. Sapp didn’t argue that point – the basic problem, he said, is that owner Al Davis has put together “a team with 3-4 personnel, but they’re running a 4-3 system.” Sapp insisted that a sound, two-gap approach would be more effective than the macho, one-gap system employed by defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Given that Ryan managed to avoid getting pink-slipped and is back for another season, this is not likely to change in ‘08.

All of which brings us back to embattled second-year coach Lane Kiffin.

When Davis made Kiffin the league’s youngest coach following the 2006 season, he was counting on the former USC assistant bringing a fresh and innovative offensive approach to a team that, in one miserable season under coach Art Shell and coordinator Tom Walsh, had set offense back a half-century. To demonstrate his commitment, the owner took a freakishly gifted quarterback, JaMarcus Russell, with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2007 draft – though Davis didn’t bother to get him signed until after the start of the regular season, essentially washing out Russell’s rookie campaign.

Things went poorly enough that Kiffin nearly lost his job at season’s end, surviving only because his boss was too cheap to buy out the remaining two years of his contract. The owner made a stand on Ryan, resisting Kiffin’s attempt to bring in a new defensive coordinator, and seemed to be doing his best to force Kiffin to resign.

It has since become clear that Davis is stuck with Kiffin for at least another season. But here’s the weird thing: By signing talented deep threat Javon Walker to a reported six-year, $55-million contract in March and by drafting McFadden fourth overall Saturday, Davis has given Kiffin a golden opportunity to prove him wrong.

If Kiffin can get the Raiders’ offense humming it will, at the very least, set him up nicely for his next job. If it can hum enough to overcome a seriously flawed defense more often than not, he and Davis may actually be able to coexist while crafting a strained but mutually beneficial partnership.

I don’t know if I’m completely on board with this line of thinking – the franchise’s inherent dysfunction always seems to surface at inopportune times – but I guess it’s possible that the drafting of McFadden could be the best thing to happen to Kiffin’s career.

“There is nothing wrong with Lane Kiffin’s offensive system,” Sapp insisted. “There is nothing wrong with Lane Kiffin as a head coach, and now he has another stud who can help him succeed. I guess Al’s going for his last hurrah.”

As bizarre as it seems, this just might work.

(yahoosports.com)

The Steelers selected Illinois’ RB Rashard Mendenhall with the 23rd pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, a surprising selection, considering the Steelers already had Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore and Najeh Davenport. Mendenhall was a talent that the Steelers’ organization just couldn’t pass on, however, and as a result, they’ll need to make room for another RB on the roster.

We’re hearing that Najeh Davenport will be that casualty. The 29 year old Davenport has had run-ins with the law over the last few years, and while he’s very talented, his work ethic has been questioned by the coaches though, as he tends to disappear at times.
Mendenhall is expected to split time with Willie Parker, who is recovering from a broken fibula. While Parker will likely start, the rookie will see just as many reps.

(thereisnooffseason.com)

Ryan Howard struggles, Pat Burrell reaps benefits. Ryan Howard, arguably the most dangerous hitter in baseball has begun his season well below the .200 mark and with only 5 home runs in the month of April. Although most likely this is only an early season slump, it's obvious that at this point Howard is struggling mechanically and just swinging at bad pitches. Leading the league in strikeouts with 37 on the 28th of April puts him on a pace for 215 strikeouts for the season. Although if he pulls out of his slump, he might just as well hit 50 homers. Pat Burrell on the other hand is having a stellar April. Leading the National League in RBIs, only two behind fellow teammate Chase Utley for home runs with 8, and posting a .467 batting average gives him the best April of his career and potentially of any Philly. The question is, how much are these two players connected. Pat has for the past two years, obviously seen better pitches than Ryan as the National league pitchers become more and more concerned at pitching to him. This year he is sitting quietly in the 5th spot in the lineup and sucking up the RBIs that Ryan Howard would usually be getting. In 2007, Howard had 13 RBIS and 3 home runs in April/March, while Burrell had only 1 home run and 9 RBIs, well below this season. Burrell didn't peak last year until July and August when he accrued 47 of his 97 RBIs for the year, while Howard's 13 in April/March were his lowest total of the year.Looking at the numbers, as we always do in baseball, when Howard gets out of his slump, Pat's hot bat will cool.

(bleacherreport.com)

Alex Cora has begun a throwing program but is still at least a week away from returning.





(fenwaywest.blogspot.com)

Though he appears to be the odds-on favorite to be the odd-man out in the Giants’ suddenly crowded receiver field, third-year pro Sinorice Moss warned everyone today not to count him out. He said he was glad the Giants drafted Michigan receiver Mario Manningham in the third round on Sunday. He also knows the world hasn’t seen what he’s capable of doing yet.

“I need to wake some people up,” the 24-year-old said. “That’s what I really need to do. I’ve been on the shelf. So I’m ready to come out here and shock the world. That’s what I plan to do.”

Moss has been a fixture on the shelf during his two-year tenure with the Giants, suffering through a bevy of injuries and disappointing production. He was even on that shelf, and the inactive list, during the Giants’ entire Super Bowl playoff run.

Now he certainly appears to be fifth on the Giants’ depth chart, far behind Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and second-year pro Steve Smith, and probably even behind Manningham, too. The Giants seem to love Manningham’s big-play potentital, while they’ve never really seemed sure about what the 5-8, 185-pound Moss can do.

“I know what I can do and I know what I bring to this team, so there’s no pressure on me at all,” Moss said. “I’m just looking forward to coming out here, getting the opportunity to make some plays and come out here and shock the world. That’s my thing.”

Moss, who had 21 catches for 225 yards in 13 games last season and has just 26 catches in his two NFL seasons, said he’s not really frustrated by his lack of production. He believes good things will come. It just takes time.

“I’m not rushing anything. I’m just being patient,” he said. “Some people come into this league expecting to be this big star when you first come into the league. It takes time. It takes patience. So for me being a patient guy and continuing to work hard, and never put myself down, it’s going to happen. It’s going to come.”

(nydailynews.com)

Derrick Morse will be heading to Cleveland.

After a stressful time of deciding which team to go with, the former University of Miami guard accepted an invitation from the Browns. He'll report to the NFL team's rookie minicamp Thursday and will take part in practice Friday through Sunday.

"It is (stressful)," the Estero High graduate said. "You gotta make a lot of important decisions once free agency comes. You have to do what's best for you, find the best opportunity. If it's not a great opportunity, you may not make it.

"I went to bed Sunday with a headache but I woke up (Tuesday) feeling great."

Morse said he chose Cleveland because the team was building its practice squad and needing back-up players. He also likes that he'll be rejoining Cleveland offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, a former Hurricanes assistant, and former Miami tight end Kellen Winslow.

Morse said that if the tryout doesn't work out with Cleveland, he'll have another the following weekend with the New York Giants. "And if they want me to sign, I'm signing," Morse said.

(news-press.com)

PHILADELPHIA -- Could this be the year Pat Burrell finds his way to an All-Star team?

The Phillies left fielder has improved on his historically fast pace. With two days left in April, Burrell has already surpassed his home run and RBIs totals for any March/April period of his career. His previous best month came in 2006, when he batted .300 with seven homers and 21 RBIs.

On a team with a red-hot Chase Utley, Burrell's .349 average is among the top 10. He collected his 23rd and 24th RBIs came on April 24, and set a franchise record for April, besting Von Hayes, who set the previous mark of 22, set in 1989.

The most noticeable approach has been in his swing.

"[Burrell's] got more wiggle in his swing -- takes the bat back and is more straight up," manager Charlie Manuel said. "He's got the plate covered and he's been hitting better."

(mlb.com)

Aubrey Huff hit a two-run homer as the Baltimore Orioles downed the Tampa Bay Rays, 7-4, in the opener of a three- game set at Camden Yards.

Melvin Mora drove in a pair of runs while Luis Hernandez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored for the Orioles, who snapped a two-game skid. Garrett Olson (1-0) picked up the win as he gave up just two runs on four hits with five walks and six strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings of work.

B.J. Upton smacked a two-run homer while Carl Crawford and Akinori Iwamura each drove in a run and scored a run for the Rays, who had a six-game winning streak stopped. Jason Hammel (2-2) got the loss as he was banged up for three runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings of work.

The Orioles grabbed the lead in the second with a pair of runs. With one out, Ramon Hernandez and Luis Hernandez hit consecutive singles. After Brian Roberts flied out, Mora and Nick Markakis hit back-to-back RBI singles and Baltimore had a 2-0 lead.

Baltimore grabbed another run in the third on an RBI double from Ramon Hernandez that scored Huff, who led off the inning with a walk, for a 3-0 lead.

Tampa threatened in the fifth when the team put its first two runners on base. However, Olson retired the next three batters to get out of the jam.

The Orioles further padded their lead in the sixth with four runs. With runners on second and third, Mora lifted a sacrifice fly to left that scored Luis Hernandez. After Scott Dohmann took the mound, Kevin Millar punched a run-scoring single to center and Huff followed with a shot over the center field wall for a 7-0 lead.

The runs proved fortunate as Tampa plated four runners in the seventh inning to get back into the contest. With Jason Bartlett on first, Iwamura punched a double to center to score Bartlett. After Randor Bierd took the mound, Crawford belted a run-scoring single to center and Upton followed with a shot over the right field fence to make it a 7-4 game.

The Rays were unable to get any closer, though, as George Sherrill worked around a two-out walk to pick up his 10th save of the season.

(abcactionnews.com)

What he brings: We thought the Giants would address the safety position here, but we thought they would take Arkansas State's Tyrell Johnson. However, the fact that Johnson played at such a small school may have given the edge to Phillips in the eyes of the Giants' personnel department. At this point, Phillips is a better athlete than football player; he gets caught out of position too often and takes too many false steps. He has a great deal of upside based on his 4.48 40-yard dash, which is impressive for a 212-pounder. He also changes directions very well, plays with great intensity and is big enough to line up in the box once he proves his ability to shed blocks.

How he fits: Phillips was the safest pick and makes the most sense because of the loss of Gibril Wilson in the offseason. Sammy Knight is best used as a box safety and SS James Butler's contract is up next year. The Giants have the most explosive pass-rushing unit in the NFL and Phillips will stabilize the back end. This addresses a major need on their team.

(scout's inc.)

On a day the Giants drafted a Miami player in the first round, they held on to one they already had.

Minutes after the Giants selected Hurricanes safety Kenny Phillips with the 31st overall pick yesterday, the team fielded offers from several teams for tight end Jeremy Shockey. Though a trade was speculated to be likely early in the day, the Giants' asking price simply didn't come down enough to finalize a deal.

The Saints, who offered their second-round pick and either a sixth-rounder this year or a fifth-round selection in next year's draft, declined the Giants' proposal of a first-round pick next year, according to someone who was informed of the discussions late last night.

The person, who requested anonymity because of the private nature of trade talks, then said another team entered the fray: The Buccaneers, who offered a package similar to New Orleans' proposal. (The Seahawks also showed interest in Shockey.) But Tampa Bay was unwilling to give up its first-round pick in 2009, meaning Shockey, who is recovering from a broken fibula, will remain a Giant.

For now.

"There's been a lot of talk; very little activity," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said minutes after the Saints selected Indiana cornerback Tracy Porter at No. 40 -- the second-round pick they offered the Giants. "There is so much that goes on with regard to the draft, in terms of picks and players. You learn over the years the discussions come and go. Whether there's any seriousness to them, that's probably for someone else to say."

It remains to be seen where this situation goes from here. Shockey has threatened to hold out this upcoming season, though a few members of the organization have simply chalked that threat up to Shockey's ever-volatile emotions.

"Jeremy Shockey, while playing in our program, has worked very hard," Coughlin said. "He's done a good job in mentoring a lot of these young guys who had to come through and play for us this year. He has outstanding ability and there's no change in that status as of now."

There's also no change in Miami's status as a perennial producer of first-round picks, especially safeties. Phillips became the fourth Hurricane safety drafted in the first round in the past seven years, joining Ed Reed, Brandon Meriweather and the late Sean Taylor. Phillips also (barely) kept the school's streak of consecutive years with a first-round pick going at 14.

His selection is a pick that addresses the most glaring need on the Super Bowl champs' roster. It was also a pick that surprised few, as Phillips was slated to be selected by the Giants by many prognosticators.

Perhaps the person that was most stunned was Phillips.

"I saw a lot of mock drafts and stuff said I was going to go to the Giants," Phillips said. "But I really don't (pay attention) to all that and I really haven't talked to them a lot. So I was definitely surprised."

For the second straight year, the Giants' first-round pick wasn't one of the players they brought in for a predraft visit. In fact, Phillips said he hadn't talked to the team's decision-makers since the scouting combine in late February.

But the Giants were comfortable with their read on Phillips -- a former cornerback who can cover, hit, run and has shown good awareness on the field. In three seasons with Miami, the 21-year-old Phillips had seven interceptions, 13 pass break-ups and 203 tackles.

"We like his size, we like his speed," general manager Jerry Reese said. "He's multidimensional. We like those kinds of players. The guy's played corner before, so we feel he can go down and (cover) the third receiver if he has to. He's smart and he's a good person. We like all that stuff about him."

The Giants' lack of depth at safety provides Phillips with an excellent shot at a starting job.

Gibril Wilson, the Giants' fifth-round pick in 2004, signed with the Raiders as a free agent last month. In his place, the team signed 32-year-old Sammy Knight, a heady veteran whose speed has never been his strength. James Butler and Michael Johnson are the other two safeties vying for a starting job.

"We got nice value and we got a need position as well," Reese said. "That's what we like to do in the draft."

(nj.com)

Longevity issues with Kellen Winslow and a potential contract dispute factored into the Browns making a surprise trade in the fourth round of the draft Sunday.

They gave up their 2009 third-round pick to select pass-catching tight end Martin Rucker of Missouri.

It was the second deal in a matter of minutes for Trader Phil Savage, both times with the Dallas Cowboys, the team that provided the Browns the picks to select Brady Quinn and Eric Wright in draft-day trades last year.

But less than 30 minutes after trading for Bell, Savage hit the speed dial for Jerry Jones again and acquired the Cowboys' next pick, 111th overall, to select Rucker.

The fact Savage did not hesitate to pay the third-round price for Rucker speaks to concerns about Winslow's recurring knee problems and his stated desire for a new contract.

"We really like Martin Rucker, but I think that always has to be in the backdrop," Savage said of the Winslow issues.

Winslow had another surgical procedure on his battered right knee in February. That was at least the fourth surgery on the knee injured in his 2005 motorcycle accident. He also had surgery on a broken right fibula and torn ankle ligaments in 2004.

Winslow openly admits he's not the player he could have been. But after earning a trip to the Pro Bowl as an alternate prior to the latest surgery, he went public with his desire for a new contract. Savage and agent Drew Rosenhaus have had conversations about it, but nothing has been resolved.

"You're talking about a player who has three years left on his deal," Savage said.

Winslow has never indicated he would hold out this summer if he didn't get a new deal. But Savage made a telling comment when defending the trade for Rucker.

"It may not be a need today, but as we found out a few years ago it could be a need in a week, two weeks or two months," he said.

No. 2 tight end Steve Heiden also had surgery recently on a bulging disk, but Savage said there is no present concern that Winslow and/or Heiden would miss the start of training camp on July 23.

Beyond the Winslow factor, however, the Browns graded out Rucker as another player worthy of second-round consideration. In fact, six weeks before Savage dealt his second-round pick to Green Bay for defensive end Corey Williams, he presented his staff a list with a dozen offensive players and a dozen on defense to consider in the second round. Bell and Rucker were on the lists, he said.

Rucker, 6-5 and 251 pounds, led all collegiate tight ends with 84 catches for Missouri. Coincidentally, Winslow's father, the Hall of Famer, previously set records at Missouri, which Rucker shattered.

Savage said that he envisioned Winslow and Rucker splitting defensive seams together on opposite ends of the field. He said that offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, a former tight end as a player and position coach, would have no problem creating schemes to include both players.

"He's certainly capable of being a starting tight end in this league," Savage said.

(plaindealer.com)

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Ray Lewis is prepared to divorce the Ravens if the sides do not agree on a contract extension.

Lewis, who is entering the final year of his contract, addressed the issue this week on the NFL Network.

“Would I play somewhere else? The business creates that,” Lewis said. “We have to understand that — no matter what you do and how you try to do it — if you understand that, then the game of football is fun for you. It never changes for you. So, if you do go somewhere else, you go have a great career somewhere else.”

Lewis also said his football legacy could extend beyond Baltimore.

“I believe your legacy is not [decided] by the city, I believe it’s the way you play the game, no matter what color jersey you have on” Lewis said. “I’m a Raven, though. I’m a Raven for life. Purple and black is just what I do. But, the business side? If it takes off, it takes off.”

The 12-year veteran was just named to his ninth Pro Bowl. But the Ravens are negotiating a contract extension for linebacker Terrell Suggs, and Ozzie Newsome, the team’s general manager, has not acknowledged talks with Lewis’ representatives.

Lewis already is one of the highest paid players at his position — he is scheduled to make $6.5 million next season — and a similar contract extension could cripple the salary cap-troubled team.

“[When] I’m not able to compete — at whatever level I feel I’m not able to compete in this league — then I’ll walk away,” Lewis said. “I’ve got too much football left in me.”

Lewis has one big supporter — owner Steve Bisciotti.

Bisciotti told reporters last month that Lewis is still one of the game’s best.

“You see Ray Lewis running around this year doing what he did at 32 years old,” he said. “There’s no end in sight for Ray Lewis.”

(examiner.com)

File this one away: After taking wide receiver Mario Manningham in the third round, Giants general manager Jerry Reese said, "We are definitely not giving up on Sinorice Moss." Hmmmm. Let's revisit this again in September.



(sportsline.com)

BACOLOD -- This is one type of rice Purefoods has apparently had enough of.

The Tender Juicy Giants are dead set in letting go of the prolific Darius Rice within the next few days in favor of an import who can maximize the potential of the local roster for the rest of the Fiesta Cup eliminations.

The bigger news obviously is the decision of Purefoods to ship Rice out even if the reed-thin import is leading all-comers in scoring. Rice scored 56 points in his debut and looked like the perfect import for the Giants.

"He (Rice) might be the No. 1 in scoring, but majority of the touches on our offense are his," said the team source after the All-Star Game Sunday night at the West Negros University gym here.

"The team doesn't need a scoring champion, what the team needs is a team player who can bring out the best in the locals."

The Purefoods coaching staff and management finally decided on Rice's fate after the Giants became the first victim of sophomore squad Welcoat, which pounded out a 110-103 win on April 20.

(surfshop.net)

CHICAGO (AP) — Baltimore Orioles' designated hitter Aubrey Huff was ejected in the 10th inning of Monday's game against the Chicago White Sox after arguing a call with first base umpire Mark Wegner.

Huff hit a slow roller past the mound that White Sox's second baseman Juan Uribe fielded and threw to first. Huff was called out and immediately began to argue with Wegner on the close play. Orioles' manager Dave Trembley also came out. As Huff continued to argue from the dugout, he was tossed by Wegner. Replays appeared to show that Huff beat Uribe's throw.

(usatoday.com)

Kyle Wright signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent, and Lance Leggett signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent. Teraz McCray signed with the Buffalo Bills, Darnell Jenkins signed with the Houston Texans and Andrew Bain signed with the NY Giants.

For University of Miami linebacker Tavares Gooden, the pick came a day late. Still, the feeling was the same. After not being selected in the first two rounds, he was chosen Sunday by the Baltimore Ravens at No. 71 in the third round. "It's cool," said Gooden, who played at St. Thomas Aquinas. "This is what I expected. I had potential to be taken on the first day, but my range was (No.) 45 to 88. I'm just happy to get picked."
Gooden had a gathering of family and friends on Saturday hoping to be taken in the second round. The party grew quiet when the Ravens were set to pick at No. 55. The family began talking of the possibilities of Gooden being mentored in Baltimore by former UM standout Ray Lewis. But the Ravens selected Rutgers running back Ray Rice, and Gooden fell out of the second round. Baltimore couldn't refuse to pass on him again. "Yesterday was yesterday," Gooden said. "It doesn't matter now. This is a celebration for what's going to happen." The pick also allows Gooden to join former UM players Ed Reed and Willis McGahee. Gooden is coming off a season senior where he improved his draft stock. He led the Hurricanes with a career-high 119 tackles and one interception. He credited his improvement to moving from outside to inside linebacker. "I think that helped me out a lot and I thank (linebackers coach) Michael Barrow for doing it," Gooden said. "I'm just glad I'm able to play at the next level."

When University of Miami linebacker Tavares Gooden got the phone call Sunday telling him he was about to be taken by the Baltimore Ravens with the 71st overall pick, he was asked if he minded giving up his UM jersey number -- 52.

That number belongs to UM great Ray Lewis, a longtime Raven and likely Hall of Famer.

''I understand,'' Gooden, of Fort Lauderdale, said he replied. ``I told them it didn't matter. I just want to come in and play.''

Gooden, who is 6-2, 238 pounds, was the eighth pick in the third round. He was the only pick Sunday for UM, leaving several seniors undrafted. This draft had the fewest UM players selected since 1999, when there also were three taken. Besides Gooden, this year's draft class includes first-rounder Kenny Phillips and second-rounder Calais Campbell.

Two Canes who might sign free agent contracts: quarterback Kyle Wright and offensive lineman Derrick Morse. On Sunday, receiver Darnell Jenkins signed with the Houston Texans, cornerback Glenn Sharpe signed with the Atlanta Falcons and defensive end Vegas Franklin was invited to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie camp.

Gooden played at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and was a fifth-year senior who led UM in tackles last season with 119. He had one interception, four pass breakups and three fumble recoveries for his best season.

''I was just happy that I was picked,'' he said by phone from his home.

Gooden's agent, Tony Fleming, said they had targeted two or three teams that were a perfect fit for him ``and Baltimore was definitely one of them. It's a good system to go in and learn behind some great linebackers that are there already.''

Gooden will join former Canes Willis McGahee, Ed Reed and Lewis. ''They like Miami guys,'' Fleming said.

Gooden said the Ravens came down to work him out in Miami. He said he has never been to Baltimore, but can't wait to get there for next weekend's rookie camp.

''It's something crazy,'' Gooden said. ``I've never met Ray Lewis, but he's like a brother to me because he's from Miami. He'll be my big brother.''

Gooden's high school coach, George Smith, said he was ecstatic for his former player.

''He went through injuries and everything else down there and came into his own as a senior,'' Smith said. ``He played every position they had there at linebacker and really shined when he played in the middle last season.''

Gooden said he wasn't disappointed about not getting drafted sooner.

''You can't be disappointed when you get a chance to play for the NFL,'' he said.

(miamiherald.com)

According to the Baltimore Sun, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome said that in early negotiations with linebacker Ray Lewis about an extension, Lewis has asked for Peyton Manning type money.

Wow. Just, wow. It that’s true, which is should be coming from the GM’s mouth, I’m just speechless.

Sure, Lewis is still the defenses trademark player, and can still intimidate and hit players. However, he’s clearly past the prime of his career, being thirty-three, and I don’t even think the Ravens should give him good money for a linebacker.

Manning signed a seven year, $99.2 million extension. Ya, no one is going to give Lewis that. He probably wouldn’t of even got it in the prime of his career.

If Lewis, who’s contract is up at the end of this season, can get the delusion that he’s an unstoppable middle force in his mid-twenties out of his head, than he might be able to reach an agreement with Baltimore before the end of the 2008 season. However, the fact that he’s asking for this much in preliminary discussions tells me that he’ll be demanding a lot when the talks get serious, which I doubt the Ravens are willing to pay.

Lewis’s possible departure has prompted many to believe that the Ravens could take a linebacker, specifically Kieth Rivers, with the eighth pick. If Matt Ryan is there, than they’ll take him, but Rivers is a possibility.

This article also notes that the team likes guard Branden Albert. With Jonathan Ogden possibly retiring, this wouldn’t be a bad pick.

Also, it appears that the Ravens won’t be moving up to ensure they get Ryan, as they aren’t willing to offer enough to the Rams or Falcons.

(nflsource.com)

MIAMI - A Miami judge denied bail Friday for one of the suspects in the slaying of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor.

Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy noted that 20-year-old Jason Scott Mitchell and three other suspects allegedly hatched their plot in the Fort Myers area and drove across the state intending to burglarize Taylor’s Miami-area home.

“Youth and guns have been such a prevalent issue of concern in our community. Now we’re getting it imported from other parts of the state,” Murphy said at a hearing. “I’m not sure any form of release would adequately protect the public.”

Like many other cities, Miami has seen a recent rise in murders. The most recent complete FBI data shows there were 77 murders in the city in 2006 compared with 54 the year before — and nearly three-quarters of all homicides nationally involve guns.

Murphy’s denial of bail for Mitchell came after the suspect’s mother, Louise Robertson, and several other relatives came to court wearing T-shirts bearing his picture. Robertson’s black shirt said “Mama’s Baby” on the front and “Free My Son” on the back.

“I need him home with me,” she said.

Prosecutors said they have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty against any of the suspects. Each is charged with first-degree murder and armed burglary in the Nov. 26 shooting of Taylor, an All-Pro safety for the Redskins and former All-American at the University of Miami.

Another suspect, 17-year-old Eric Rivera Jr., allegedly shot a machete-wielding Taylor in the confrontation inside the home. Mitchell told police they thought Taylor would be out of town because the Redskins were playing in Tampa that weekend, but Taylor was out with an injury.

Mitchell is a key to the case because he attended a birthday party in September at Taylor’s home and told police he saw the football player hand out bags of $10,000 in cash to his sister and brother as gifts.

The other two suspects are 20-year-old Venjah Hunte and 18-year-old Charles Wardlow. Trial for all four is scheduled for Aug. 25.

(nbcnews.com)

Since the end of last season, there has been speculation the Cardinals were eager to replace running back Edgerrin James with a younger, faster model.

Not so, team officials say. They would like to add a running back in this weekend's draft, but they would be content to again go with James and develop a potential replacement.

This draft is deep in running backs, but there might be only two or three worthy of being taken at No. 16 by the Cardinals.

"I think there are going to be maybe two or three positions where there is going to be a quick run on those players," General Manager Rod Graves said. "I think the concern will be about the depth later. And the running back position could be that way."

The Cardinals are careful not to disparage James when they evaluate their running back position. James still has great vision and agility and is adept at turning what should be a 3-yard gain into 6. But James turns 30 on Aug. 1 and doesn't possess as much big-play ability as coaches want.

James had four runs of more than 20 yards last season, and the Cardinals would like more from a starting back. Backups J.J. Arrington and Marcel Shipp aren't the answers.

The best backs in the league often have 10 or more rushes that gain at least 20 yards. For instance, Pittsburgh's Willie Parker had 12 last year. The Eagles' Brian Westbrook and the Vikings' Adrian Peterson each had 11.

The Cardinals passed on Peterson last year when they took offensive tackle Levi Brown at No. 5, but it will be difficult for them to skip taking an elite runner for a second straight year.

At the scouting combine in February, Whisenhunt said the Cardinals were "obviously always looking to get a young player at the position to hopefully develop. And it would be nice to have a guy who would give us the home run ability at that position, like we've seen a lot of young backs do recently."

That type of back is available in this draft, said several NFL personnel officials. One team's running backs coach called it "the best class in my 10 years in the league. There are probably three legitimate superstars and possibly two to three more.

"There probably will be 25 to 30 running backs drafted by the time this is over with."

The Cardinals have provided few hints at their plans, but it's worth noting that Oregon's Jonathan Stewart and East Carolina's Chris Johnson visited the team's Tempe facility in recent weeks.

Stewart is coming off recent toe surgery and is questionable for the start of training camp. But it's not a condition that's expected to hamper him significantly. He has good size (5 feet 10 inches, 235 pounds) and speed, and is regarded as a tough runner.

Johnson appears to have climbed on some draft boards over the past month. He's one of the faster backs (4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash) in this draft and is a capable receiver and returner.

The Cardinals insist that they would be fine entering the season with James as the starter. Whisenhunt has pointed out that James deserves considerable credit for his performance last year. He played behind a rebuilt offensive line, and the team relied predominantly on the pass.
"He had 1,200 yards (rushing)," Whisenhunt said, "and any time you can do that in the NFL, you are a good back."

(azcentral.com)